Fat shame can have a negative impact on a woman’s self-esteem; there is no denying that. But, did you know that fat shame can even go so far as to impact a woman’s overall health? Continue reading to learn about how women suffer when they are put down because of their weight.

Fat Shame and the Impact on Mental Health

Fat shaming can have a big impact on someone’s mental health. When a woman is fat shamed, her risk of the following ailments increases, proving that negative words can definitely have an effect on someone.

An eating disorder might arise as a result of being fat shamed. A classic example is binge eating.

The risk of becoming depressed increases with fat shaming, too. A woman might not seem like she is deeply affected by the things that are said to her about her weight, but the truth is that those words cut deep psychological wounds. Over time, mental health issues like depression might arise, and that might, in turn, increase the risk of the woman also becoming suicidal.

A reduction is self-esteem is common among women who are fat shamed. They will grow increasingly unhappy with the way that they look, simply because they are influenced to feel that way about themselves because of what other people have said to them about their size.

Fat Shame and the Increased Risk of Disease

A study has discovered that women who are overweight, and who end up believing all of the fat shaming messages and negative talk about their bodies, become increasingly susceptible to other serious conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.

According to Health, the study was published in Obesity, and it proves that women who are fat shamed apply negative stereotypes to their own bodies. This can, in turn, lead to health issues like metabolic syndrome, so their overall health suffers.

Also, when you fat shame someone, it might cause them to overeat even more because that is their way of coping with the stress that’s caused by being shamed for their weight. This, in turn, leads to more weight gain, further putting that individual’s overall health at risk.

What’s also worth noting is that fat shaming might also cause someone to eat so much that they end up becoming obese. In other words, shaming a woman for how much she weighs will not make her feel any more motivated to shed the excess weight. So, even though someone might think that fat shaming someone else will make them want to lose weight, the exact opposite can happen, further endangering that person’s health.

Beyond Mental Health

Being shamed for the way that you look can have an adverse effect upon your mental health, but this research is proving that, when you feel bad about yourself, it doesn’t only affect your emotions and your mood. Instead, the negative self-talk that results from others putting you down can actually end up harming your physical health.

Keep in mind, too, that the increase in cortisol (the stress hormone) that comes with being frazzled can lead to a variety of other health problems, both physical and mental. Even the risk of chronic disease might increase because of the effects of long-lasting stress that comes from fat shame.

What Can You Do About It?

If you have been the victim of fat shame, you certainly aren’t alone, and you don’t have to suffer with self-esteem issues or the physical problems that can follow. If you are struggling with your body image, it is important to think about any of the stereotypes that you have internalized because of what others have said to you in the past. Then, it is a matter of challenging those stereotypes in order to overcome them and retrain the way that you see yourself.

For example, experts recommend doing your best to prevent yourself from falling victim to negative thoughts caused by bullies. If you have found yourself thinking that you’re unmotivated or lazy because that’s what fat shamers say, but you know that you aren’t those things, remind yourself that you do work hard. Then, set achievable and specific goals for yourself, focusing on improving your health. Putting your energy into yourself and what you can do every day to change your behavior and your thoughts about yourself is a great way to feel more in control.

Don’t Let Fat Shame Get You Down!

Women who are overweight face a lot of hardship, but by remaining positive, they can stay focused on loving themselves and improving their body. If you’ve been on the receiving end of fat shame, know that you aren’t alone, and you can find support groups online filled with people who have experienced the same negativity that you have gone through. Reach out and talk to someone who will understand you, and then work on taking care of your body and mind by incorporating healthy habits into your daily life.

You’ve heard all about the benefits of taking a weight loss Zumba class, and you’ve also heard about how much fun these classes can be. Now you are ready to give it a try for the first time. What are some of the things that you should expect, and how can you go about preparing for this new experience? Check out our tips below to get started.

Consider Getting There Early

If you are going to be taking your first women’s weight loss Zumba class, consider getting there a little earlier than the other students. That way, you can talk to the instructor, introduce yourself, and let him or her know that you are new to the Zumba experience. The instructor can then make you feel comfortable and welcomed, and give you some tips on how to make the most of the class in the safest way.

What Do You Need to Take a Weight Loss Zumba Class?

You don’t need any special equipment to take a weight loss Zumba class. All you need to do is choose comfortable workout clothes. It should be easy to move your body, so you don’t want the clothes to be restrictive, and you want to be sure the clothes are made of a material that will wick sweat away from your skin too.

Take some water and a towel with you to the class too, as you’ll want to stay hydrated, and the towel will allow you to keep yourself dry.

Don’t forget about the importance of wearing comfortable sneakers for your Zumba class, as you will be doing plenty of dancing, moving side to side, front to back, and pivoting a lot. Dance sneakers and cross trainers are good choices, but if you only have running sneakers, it’s best if they have tread that’s pretty worn down already.

What About Other Health Problems?

According to WebMD, if you have been diagnosed with heart disease, talk to your doctor before taking a Zumba class, as you want to be sure it will be safe to give this workout a try. Also, if you have been diagnosed with arthritis, or if you have back pain or knee pain, the high-impact moves of a Zumba class might not be appropriate for you, and it might be better to stick with lower impact workout routines instead. And, if you are pregnant, talk to your doctor to be sure the high-impact movements are safe for you.

Overall, a weight loss Zumba class is a fun way to shed excess pounds, build strength and stamina, and improve your mood, so it is definitely worth giving it a try if it’s appropriate for you.

If you’re a woman in her forties, then it should come as no mystery to you that dieting to lose weight at this age isn’t quite the same thing that it was when you were in your twenties. For that reason, you will need to take an entirely different perspective and use different methods in order to achieve your goal weight.

To help you better understand dieting for women in their 40s, we have compiled some useful information below, along with tips that you can implement into your daily life easily in order to begin slimming down with greater ease. With a clearer understanding of dieting for women in their 40s, you can begin seeing results more quickly.

Why Is It Hard to Lose Weight in Your 40s?

The reason is that you are now dealing not only with a metabolism that runs more slowly than it used to, but you may also have issues with hormones to contend with, which can have certain side effects that make it harder to lose weight. Among them are bloating, poor thyroid function, and fluid retention. All of those can make you look bigger or make it harder for you to shake each additional pound of fat that is stored on your body.

Beyond that, when you’re in your forties, you may not be sleeping as well as you used to. Women who are forty-something are often chronically sleep deprived. That makes weight loss more difficult for a number of reasons, as it makes it more challenging to have the energy to exercise, and inadequate sleep can cause you to make poor eating decisions, as chronically tired people crave more fats.

Dieting for Women in Their 40s: Lifestyle Changes Are Necessary

If you’re looking for the best approach to losing weight while you’re in your forties, then stop looking back to the way that you used to drop the pounds when you were half your current age. Instead, work on adopting an overall healthy lifestyle. By giving your body what it actually needs to function at its best, then it will help you to be able to lose weight much more effectively. It will help to cleanse an overburdened liver, will help you to metabolize food more quickly, will promote improved sleep, and will give you the energy that you need to start incorporating more exercise into your daily life.

This lifestyle change isn’t as difficult as you might think, but it does involve altering some of your habits. Primarily, it means that you will need to decrease or eliminate your dependence on processed and packaged foods. These are high in fats, sugars, sodium, and chemicals. At the same time, they are low in nutrients in fiber. This means that you eat more of it and obtain less from it, except for bloating and weight gain.

Next, you’ll want to start to work more exercise into your life. A little bit at a time is all you need. Even a thirty-minute brisk walk every day in the morning or immediately after work can be all you need to make a tremendous difference. It may seem like a nuisance to think about, but once you get started, you’ll realize that it’s much simpler than you thought, and the time goes by very quickly.

Beyond Diet and Exercise: Some More Strategies To Try

Of course, you will need to change your lifestyle in some positive ways in order to begin shedding pounds when you are older, but there are other, more specific steps that you can take. According to Health, smart dieting for women in their 40s involves the following:

Carbohydrates

First, off, let’s look at carbs, shall we? After all, they are such a hot topic in the world of weight loss and dieting. Should you eliminate all carbs from your diet? Absolutely not!

When it comes to dieting for women in their 40s, carbs can provide the fuel that your body needs. But the key is to get those carbs from whole-food ingredients like whole grains, potatoes, and fruits and vegetables. These foods won’t only provide your body with energizing carbohydrates; they will also give your body a variety of antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and minerals that are necessary for overall wellness.

How many carbs are recommended when it comes to effective dieting for women in their 40s? The first step is to figure out how many calories you need to consume every day. Then, do some math. For the majority of women in their 40s, the appropriate amount would be 40% of total calories from carbohydrates (there are four calories in a gram of carbohydrates). So, if you are supposed to get 1,750 calories per day, you would need 175 grams of carbohydrates daily.

Diet Foods

You don’t have to eat foods that are labeled “diet” foods. When it comes to dieting for women in their 40s, the goal should be to avoid as much processed food as you can. Switch from processed foods to whole foods to help boost your body’s natural calorie burning ability. You’ll be able to eat the same number of calories, you’ll still feel full and satisfied, and your body will thank you for all of the nutrition.

Vegetables

Dieting for women in their 40s should be focused on getting more veggies into every meal. In fact, filling your plate with vegetables at every meal can help you feel full sooner, and it can help you cut back on your intake of unwanted calories and fat. Aim to get a cup of non-starchy vegetables for breakfast, two cups for lunch, and two cups for dinner.

Dieting for women in their 40s can be confusing at first, but if you follow some simple strategies, you can start getting amazing results.

Caring for your eyes is one of the best things you can do to prevent vision problems in both the near and distant future. While some issues can’t yet be prevented, there are others that are affected by many of the choices you make. Many of the changes you can make in your life are tiny, but they make a tremendous difference to your ocular health over the years.

Basic Steps You Can Take Right Now to Prevent Vision Problems

There are certain very basic steps that you can take beginning right now in order to begin to prevent vision problems. Many of these are simply a matter of common sense when we realize the risk involved with certain activities. That said, not everyone is aware of the risk that certain activities, tasks, habits or lifestyles can have on our eye health.

These steps are good for your overall wellness as well as being able to prevent vision problems.

Make and keep regular eye exams. If your eyes are healthy, and you’re under 50 years old, every 2 to 3 years should be enough. If you have known risk factors or are over the age of 50 years, annual eye exams are usually best to prevent vision problems.

Eat a nutritious diet focusing on nutrients that support eye health and eyesight.

Wear proper eye protection when you participate in activities that could damage your eye, such as certain sports, tasks involving cutting, sanding, hammering, sawing, drilling or working overhead, as well as dealing with firearms or playing paintball.

Avoid hazardous activities such as using drain cleaners and other harsh chemicals, fireworks, or jump starting car batteries (as there is a risk of explosion).

Getting the Nutrients You Need Through Food and Vision Health Supplements

Among the steps you can take that have the most direct impact on being able to prevent vision problems includes proper nutrition. Some nutrients can be gained in optimal amounts through a healthy diet consisting of lots of bright colored fruits and veggies as well as healthy fats. However, research has also shown that some nutrients are needed in quantities that simply can’t realistically be obtained through food.

Therefore, if you want to make sure you’re getting all the nutrition you need to support your eye health and prevent vision problems, you’ll need a combination of the right nutrition and great vision health supplements.

Among the nutrients that can hep to support your vision health and that you can look for in an eye supplement formula include:

Lutein

Zeaxanthin

Zinc

Vitamin A

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Selenium

One major nutrient you can focus on in your diet for keeping up your eye health and prevent vision problems include omega 3 fatty acids. It’s also important to keep up with a healthy diet that is appropriate to health conditions from which you may suffer. This can include watching your weight, controlling your cholesterol and keeping your blood pressure under control. Smoking also places your eye health at risk, particularly in the case of the risk of macular degeneration. Quitting smoking will play a very big role in preventing problems. If you have diabetes, carefully monitor your blood sugar levels, too.

Reduce Eye Strain to Prevent Vision Problems

Eye strain is among the most common complaints of people who are otherwise healthy. This is greatly to do with the amount of time we spend in front of screens like computers, TVs and smartphones. To help to prevent eye strain and related challenges and potential vision problems – temporary or long term – try the following:

Always think 20-20-20 – When you’ve been staring at a screen a lot, look up at least every 20 minutes, look at a place at least 20 feet away. Try doing this for at least 20 seconds at a time.

Rest your eyes – No matter what focused activity you’re doing, whether it’s drawing, typing, watching a video, sewing or anything else, rest your eyes for five minutes per hour. This involves looking away from what you’re doing and either staring out a window and out into the distance or shut your eyes and rest them that way.

Blink – When you stare at something like a screen, your blinking tends to slow down. This reduces the tear film that helps to protect your cornea. Blinking replaces that film, but staring allows it to evaporate. Make a habit of blinking regularly and blink forcefully now and again to help relieve even more eye strain.

Drive with your eyes – When you’re driving for a long time, make sure you change your focus regularly, glancing at the dashboard, rear view mirror, the traffic around you and then objects in the distance. This helps to keep the eye muscles relaxed and reduces strain.

As a new mom, you may want to drop the last of that baby weight, but the last thing that you can sacrifice is your energy levels in order to be able to do it. If you want to give yourself the chance to lose the weight, stave off hunger, but keep your energy levels high, then there are some postpartum superfoods that you should make sure that you’re including in your diet.

With the right eating plan that includes nutritious, energizing postpartum superfoods, you will be able to take care of your baby while also taking care of yourself. Check out the list below to access some helpful ideas on some of the foods that you can begin incorporating into your weekly meal plans.

High fiber, whole grain cereal

One of the best postpartum superfoods is whole grains. And one bowl of whole grain cereal that is high in fiber will not only help to beat your hunger, but it will also help you to prevent (or overcome) constipation, a condition often experienced by new moms, since the intestines can slow down as a result of the impact of breastfeeding hormones. Eat this every day and consider eating it with a low-fat plain yogurt instead of milk. You’ll not only get your calcium, but probiotics, too!

Eggs

Eggs are terrific postpartum superfoods to help you to shed baby fat. A boiled egg is a terrific breakfast food because it contains lots of protein, so it will stop you for feeling hungry for several hours. They’re also a great source of choline, which is important to the development of your baby’s memory center and will be passed to him or her through your breast milk.

Flank steak

Beef is very high in both zinc and iron, which are both minerals that are critical to keeping your energy levels up and to making sure that your breast milk production stays high. Flank is a good choice of cut because of its low levels of fat, meaning that it is nutrient dense, without as many fats and calories as other cuts. You can have it up to three times per week if you remember that one serving is about the size of the palm of your hand.

Spinach

One of the most nutrient packed postpartum superfoods that you’ll ever find, especially for new moms, spinach contains iron and calcium, but also has folic acid, which is important to the production of new blood cells. This is especially good for women who underwent a lot of blood loss during delivery and those recovering from C-sections. It also contains manganese, which is vital to the formation of collagen, bone, and cartilage.

Wild Alaskan salmon

This fish is extremely high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are terrific for your heart health and may also help in the development of your baby’s brain and eyesight through breastfeeding. The reason that wild Alaskan types of this fish are the best is that they are the lowest in PCBs, which are known cancer causers, and are lowest in mercury. Eat this fish once or twice per week to gain all the benefit you need from it.

Other Postpartum Superfoods to Include in Your Plan

According to Shape, there are many different foods that you can enjoy after having your baby and while working on nourishing your body and slimming down. Those foods include:

Leafy greens

Fruits

Vegetables

Foods that are high in vitamin C

Foods that are high in iron

The key is to fill your plate at every meal with nutrient-dense foods. That way, you will fill up more quickly, but you will also feel fuller for longer. Those factors will then help you slim down more efficiently, but you will be giving your body what it needs for energy and overall health at the same time. When you need to get up in the middle of the night to take care of your baby, you will have the energy to do it, and when you have a long day of taking care of various responsibilities for your family, you will also be ready to tackle what lies ahead.

Beyond having healthy postpartum superfoods at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, however, you can also focus on what you have in between meals when you need a snack for a little pick-me-up. Once again, it’s about getting enough calories and nutrients for energy. Focusing on foods with good fats, protein, and fiber is really helpful when it comes to losing weight without feeling deprived. A few good examples include:

Hummus with whole grain crackers

Apples with peanut butter

Mixed nuts

Fresh veggies like carrots

Enjoy These Postpartum Superfoods!

When it comes to any eating plan, including one that is focused on postpartum superfoods, it is important to remember that everything is best in moderation. However, it also important to keep in mind that physical activity is a key component of a wellness plan after having a baby, especially if you want to keep your energy level high, and if your ultimate goal is to get back down to your pre-baby weight.

Have you ever asked yourself if you’re getting enough exercise? Do your daily and weekly workouts count enough to bring you up to your minimum for health and weight loss or weight maintenance? Is the amount of physical activity that you’re getting going to help you to reach your goals?

The fact of the matter is that fewer than one in every five women are receiving the minimum required amount of exercise for their basic health and wellness. Therefore, it is important for you to find out just how much exercise you should be doing every day, so that you’ll be able to join the minority that is doing what is right for their bodies.

To learn if you are getting enough exercise, or if you are doing the minimum exercise necessary to maintain your health and stay strong as you age, continue reading.

Many People Buy the Gym Membership, but Don’t Use It

Many people fall victim to the behavior where they join a gym, but they never really go. However, because they have a gym membership, they are actually under the impression that they are getting more exercise than they truly are. Don’t be one of those people.

If you have a membership to a gym, or if you’ve purchased a great piece of home exercise equipment, use it! If those aren’t for you, make sure that you’re taking the time to put one foot in front of the other to move around, use your muscles, and get your heart pumping.

Less than 20 percent of American women are meeting the exercise requirements as outlined by the government, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey from 2011. This data was released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What is truly sad about that statistic is that it isn’t actually all that difficult to be able to meet those minimum guidelines from the government. This is especially true because they need to be spread out throughout the day and the week in order to be most effective, so many of the exercise sessions can be as short as 10 minutes long.

What Is the Minimum Amount of Exercise You Need?

You might be surprised to find out that you don’t have to go crazy at the gym in order to meet exercise minimums. In fact, all you need to do is 25 minutes per day, three days per week, of a high intensity routine consisting of aerobic activities. Then, choose strength training activities on another two days of the week. The remaining two days can be focused on flexibility and toning. Simple enough, right?

Here Are Some Tips for Establishing an Effective Exercise Routine

Maintaining variety in your workout routine can help you keep your motivation high, and it can also allow you to continually challenge your body in new ways, developing more and more strength. So, consider the following tips:

Combine longer workouts with shorter workouts throughout the week. For example, you might want to do a longer workout of lower intensity when you have more time during the weekend, while you might want to stick with shorter, higher intensity routines when you don’t have as much time to exercise. A short workout of 30 minutes can be surprisingly effective, provided that you hit the right level of intensity.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is considered one of the best workouts for those who are pressed for time. You can get your heart rate up and work your muscles in surprisingly effective ways in a short amount of time. Definitely consider giving this workout technique a try.

Yet another way to make the most of every minute, even during a shorter workout session, is by doing a combination of bodyweight exercises and muscle building workouts using weights. This can work your entire body, burn calories and fat, and tone your body as well.

Are You Getting Too Much Exercise? Here’s How to Tell

An alternative way to figure out if you are getting the right amount exercise is by figuring out if you are exercising too much. According to Grand Canyon University, you might need to cut back on the amount of exercise that you are doing if you begin experiencing symptoms like the following:

You find that you constantly feel really tired

You have overuse injuries

You feel depressed or anxious, you’re experiencing mood swings, or you are dealing with irritability

You get sick more often than you used to

You are finding that your body needs longer periods of rest

You are low on motivation

You have a lot of muscle soreness

Your appetite has decreased

You have trouble sleeping

Your performance is lower than it was before

Always Remember the Benefits of Getting Enough Exercise

Remember that physical activity is not only good for helping you to maintain a healthy body weight and build your muscles, but it also helps you to reduce your risk of a long list of diseases ranging from heart conditions to cancers. These few minutes every day should be considered to be time well spent because it will help to reduce the time that you could be spending in an expensive hospital bed in your future.

If you are like a lot of people, you are often stopping to look at your smartphone throughout the day, whether you’re at home, at work, or on the go. Smartphones are a necessity these days for many people, but it turns out that, even though they can provide a lot of benefits, they might be causing a decline in fitness efforts.

New research is now starting to suggest that smartphones are turning people away from their fitness routines and are directing them toward being more sedentary. If you aren’t sure what you would do without your smartphone, then you might want to know what research has to offer you as an answer: you’d get more active and spend more time working out. Keep reading to discover more about this interesting topic.

What Studies Have Found Regarding Smartphones and Fitness

The people who spend the most time on their cell phones have a tendency to be considerably less fit than the individuals who spend a smaller among of time on those devices. This is according to a study that was recently published within the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. The study was conducted by a team of scientists from Kent State University.

A Little Bit About the Research

During the first part of the study, researchers surveyed 305 college students about their physical activities and about their level of cell phone use. What they discovered was that the people who talked on their phones the most were also the ones who had the lowest activity levels. This, despite the fact that half of the people who used their cell phones the most said that their addiction to their devices didn’t have any impact on their activity levels.

In the second part of the study, 49 of the participants underwent a cardiovascular fitness test. What was determined aligned very well with the results that were found in the first part of the research. The people who used their cell phones the most were also the ones who scored the lowest in physical fitness on the tests.

This relationship between cell phone use and reduced fitness levels was explained in the study by saying that the more time an individual spends using a cell phone, the less time he or she has to do other things – including being active.

One Exception Worth Noting

The only exception was when the cell phone was being used to “kill time” while the person was actually working out.

A co-author of the study, Gabe Sanders PhD, a Northern Kentucky University assistant professor of exercise science and former fitness trainer, said that “If using a cell phone helps you ‘kill time’ on the elliptical, I’m all for it.”

However, it was also noted by Sanders in a previous study that when people are on their cell phones to talk, text, or do anything other than listen to music, they will run more slowly on a treadmill.

When they listen to music, on the other hand, they will run more quickly. This was explained by saying that the cell phone is a distraction that stops the runner from keeping up his or her pace or holding the right form.

There Are Ways to Use Smartphones to Improve Fitness!

Even though there is a lot of information about smartphones getting in the way of fitness these days, there are also methods that allow you to use these advanced devices to get your body moving.

According to Forbes, there are a variety of apps that encourage fitness and wellness, so if you want to use smartphones to motivate yourself to do more to stay fit, consider the following fitness apps, as a couple examples:

Fiit – This app boasts classes that are interactive and inspiring when you need a little encouragement to get a workout in. Plus, it is a lot like having a personal trainer, no matter where you are. There is a free version that you can download, and it will give you access to on-demand classes, training plans, and customer service. The paid version of this app has hundreds of classes, even more training plans to choose from, and the ability to train with friends and track your progress. You can use it with an Apple Watch if you already have one, or you can opt to purchase one of their Fiit devices to track your calories burned, heart rate, reps, and more.

Beachbody on Demand – You know that Beachbody is a brand known for its intense workout classes that deliver amazing results when followed correctly, but did you know that you could also get on-demand classes on your smartphone? This service lets you easily stream more than 1,000 really fun and effective fitness classes. Plus, you also gain access to helpful nutrition plans to revamp your diet and get even better, faster results. Download this app to stream top-quality workout routines on every device you own.

As you can see, even though smartphones can get in the way of your fitness progress, if you are strategic about the way that you use those devices, they can actually help you get on course and stay on track. But, if you aren’t going to use your smartphones to inspire your fitness routine, the next time you think about using your device, you might want to set it down and go for a power walk, first. You can make your call when you get back.

Are you wondering how safe a Mexican vacation will be if you want to head there for a winter or spring break trip in 2020? It’s not an unreasonable question. After all, have you seen some of the headlines popping up in the media? They look terrifying!

The good news is that if you want to go on a safe Mexican vacation in 2020, you’re in luck. Mexico remains a very safe place for international tourists to travel. The key is to travel to the right places – and most popular tourism destinations are well within those regions – and to use the same kind of common sense you’d use when visiting any other city in the world.

Common Sense for Safe Travels

Just because you’re on a dream trip away from home and staying in a luxury villa rental, it doesn’t mean you are invulnerable to mishaps. Therefore, remember that you can determine precisely how safe your Mexican vacation will be using your own choices.

The following are some great tips to help you to avoid any unnecessary problems while you’re away. Use these tips to make sure you’re on a safe Mexican vacation in 2020 or whenever you plan to head away.

Choose the right destination – Make sure you’re headed to a location that is known for safety. For example, Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area have been historically known for providing a safe Mexican vacation for travelers from around the world. Equally, avoid regions near the U.S.-Mexico border. That’s where the headlines about drug crimes are coming from. Alternately Nayarit, for instance, is nowhere near the border and would be a far better choice.

Don’t get involved in drugs in any way – Nearly all violent crimes in Mexico are linked with drugs. Therefore, don’t try to buy any and don’t try to get involved in the drug trade, and you’ll sidestep that entire problem.

Stay at accommodations with a strong reputation – Look for a resort, hotel, or villa rental with an exceptional reputation for safety. While you’re there, speak with the hotel staff or even the individual manning the gate of a gated community in which your villa is located. They will be able to confirm that your plans for the day will be safe or can direct you away from some shadier locations if there are any nearby.

Choose transportation wisely – Mexico City’s taxis don’t have a stellar reputation. However, you can make up for that by simply using Uber or arranging for a car through your villa, hotel or resort.

Don’t stand out – You may love to show off your expensive jewelry, sunglasses, electronics and brand-name shirts, hats and shoes, but – as is the case in virtually any city in the world – this makes you a target to would-be thieves. If you do have to dress up to go somewhere fancy, don’t walk around on your night out. Take an Uber or a car arranged by your accommodations. This is a very simple and convenient step to make sure you have a safe Mexican vacation in 2020.

Want to get in shape? Considering a gym membership or an aerobics video? Doesn’t it sound a lot more appealing to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunlight for a while?

There’s a reason that your body is trying to send you this message. These instincts are pointing you toward a healthier way to exercise. Nature is the ultimate gym and healthy training facility.

There are ways to make exercising outside the best experience possible, while also avoiding some of the hazards that may come along with it throughout the different seasons of the year. After all, if you know how to make the most of your workouts in the great outdoors, you can stay safe and get into the best shape of your life.

Want to dive into the main benefits of getting your workouts in while surrounded by Mother Nature’s beauty, and while breathing in fresh air? Consider the following 5 reasons that you might want to skip the stale indoor air and head on out for exercising outside, instead.

1. You’ll work out for a longer period of time when exercising outside

When you go outside instead of trapping yourself in a gym, you’ll be shocked at how much more quickly the time flies. Looking at the scenery, enjoying the breeze, changing your running route, and even smiling at people as you go by can help to alleviate the dreaded boredom that is all too often associated with workouts. For that reason, you’ll be more likely to stay out longer and get in those extra minutes that can make all the difference.

2. You could burn more calories when exercising outside

When you’re stuck in the same routine at the gym, it’s easy to fall into a rut. Your body knows precisely what it should expect from any given routine or exercise. Heading outside has varied terrains, obstacles, and walking surfaces that can all “shake things up” for your body. When you factor in days when the wind is barely existent and when it is virtually gale-force, you’ll keep things different enough that your body won’t “settle” and you’ll burn more calories.

3. You’ll save hundreds of dollars if you take up exercising outside

Gym memberships may not seem like much when you’re paying for them one time every month, but it adds up. Among Americans, 85 percent with gym memberships pay up to $600 per year. The remaining 15 percent pay even more than that! Even if you buy yourself the best running shoes on the market, you still won’t come anywhere near that total.

4. Outdoor activity is a natural mood booster

Regardless of whether the weather is lousy or gorgeous, when you have a workout outside, your body naturally releases more endorphins, which gives you a sense of wellbeing. This is simply from being in the fresh air. This not only helps to lower stress but it motivates you to try harder.

5. You’ll be healthier when you exercise outside

Gyms may be better for you than not working out at all, but they’re swimming in bacteria and germs. Sweat and recycled air combined with shared equipment, showers, and change rooms are the ideal circumstances for bacteria growth. Outside, there is far less chance of picking up any viruses that are going around.

Exercising Outside Safety Tips

Sure, you can get hurt if you exercise at the gym or even in the comfort of your own home, but there are additional, and different, hazards that you might end up encountering when you are exercising outside. These should definitely be considered before you head out there to get your workout in, so we have compiled a few tips on how to stay healthy, regardless of the time of year that you are exercising outside.

According to Huffpost, there are several steps that you can take to help ensure your safety while working out in the great outdoors. Those include:

Keeping your cell phone with you at all times, in case you need to make an emergency phone call

Keeping a form of ID on you as well, just in case anything happens

Knowing the area that you will be exercising in, or heading out with a partner

Letting a loved one know that you’ll be heading outside to exercise

Avoiding wearing any expensive jewelry while you are outside exercising

Other tips include:

Dressing for the weather conditions. For example, in the winter, you want to avoid frostbite, so cover your skin appropriately. But, wear layers too, so that you can remove layers if you start to feel overheated.

Wear sunscreen throughout the year to protect your skin from the sun’s harsh rays.

Wear comfortable, supportive shoes that are appropriate for your workout and the terrain that you’ll be working on.

Wear reflective clothing, particularly if you are going to be working out during the evening or at night.

Exercising Outside: So Many Benefits, So Much Fun!

If you need some motivation to work out, consider exercising outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air. Be safe, have fun, and enjoy all of the benefits.

Holiday parties are right around the corner, and you know what that means: hearty meals, tasty cocktails, and sweet desserts. It’s enough to make you fall off course if you’re following a diet, but there’s no reason to give up your fitness goals just because the holidays are here. You can indulge and still manage to maintain your weight, provided that you control portions and calorie intake, as well as take one of the top diet pills for women.

Ready to survive the holiday party season and avoid causing your waistline to expand? Check out our list of the best diet pills for women that you can consider trying.

TRIMTHIN X700 is one of the most popular weight management supplements that can be purchased over the counter. It can provide you with a nice boost of physical energy, as well as improved mental focus, so you can attend holiday parties and stay on track when it comes to choosing the healthiest food and drink options that are served up. Plus, when you have more energy every day, you’ll be more than ready to tackle a tough workout that will allow you to burn off any of the calories that you consumed while attending a fun party to celebrate the season.

Another one of the top diet pills for women for holiday party survival is 3G BURN. You can also purchase these pills over the counter, and the clinically studied ingredients can help boost your energy and focus as well. What’s nice about this formulation, however, is that it contains natural, easily recognized ingredients, such as:

Garcinia Cambogia Fruit Extract

Green Coffee Bean Extract

Forskohlii Root Extract

Caffeine

Green Tea Leaf Extract

LIPONITRO

With LIPONITRO, you can expect to get a nice boost of physical energy that you can use to more easily power through even the toughest workouts during the winter season. But, that energy will also come in handy in other areas of your daily life as well, such as taking care of the kids, getting things done at work, planning holiday get-togethers, and keeping up with various other errands and responsibilities.

Also, beyond all of that, LIPONITRO can even give you more mental focus, which a lot of people can use when they struggle with eating right daily during the holidays. If you tend to fall off course because you give in to tempting, unhealthy foods, especially during the holiday season, the focus that this diet pill gives you can help you stay on course.

FENFAST 375

The holiday parties that you attend might be packed with foods that you know are bad for you, but FENFAST 375 is yet another popular diet pill that will give you the focus that is required to stick to your healthy eating plan.

Also, even if you do overindulge a bit because it is the holidays, after all, FENFAST 375 will be there to give you the energy you need to be more active and burn off the calories that you consumed.

Finally, no list of top diet pills for women would be complete without mentioning PHENBLUE. This popular weight management supplement can be bought over the counter, and it is easy to take every day when you want to boost focus and improve energy so that you can eat right and exercise without skipping a beat, no matter how many holiday parties are on your calendar.

With help from the top diet pills for women, you can celebrate everything that this fun season has to offer, without having to worry about what your weight will be at the end of it all. If you aren’t sure about which weight management product is right for you, though, have a chat with your doctor, who can steer you in the right direction. And, to learn more about the best diet pills for women, click here.